Plans to regenerate part of Taunton's waterfront will go ahead despite concerns about parking provision and the design of new developments.

Taunton Deane Borough Council owns the Coal Orchard site near the Brewhouse Theatre and has been trying to redevelop the area for many years.

The council has brought forward revised proposals to regenerating the site through new homes, shops and restaurants, believing that it would bring more people into the town centre and open up the River Tone for visitors.

Councillors met in West Monkton on Wednesday evening (September 12) and voted that the plans should go ahead - despite concerns raised by residents and elected members over the loss of parking spaces on the site.

The former St. James Street pool and Coal Orchard car park (Image: Daniel Mumby)

The proposals will see the disused St James Street swimming pool demolished and four new blocks being constructed with retail or restaurant space on the ground floors.

The first and second storeys of each block will house 42 one- and two-bedroom flats, of which eight will be affordable housing.

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At a meeting held at West Monkton Church of England Primary School, council leader John Williams said: "It is a very important project at a very important site, a link in the chain from the station to the town centre."

Andrew Clancy, the council's agent, said that it was "sympathetic" to the wider vision of Taunton as a garden town, and that one-third of the proposed retail space was already pre-let, with "a number of national chains" currently negotiating with the council.

He added: "The scheme will generate up to 100 jobs with the restaurants, gym and retail units, and will increase footfall to the town centre."

But members of the public present did not share their enthusiasm, criticising the cut in parking spaces from 120 to 42.

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Christine Marsh, who represents the resident of Pegasus Court, said that the loss of spaces would put off potential residents as well as impacting on the church, theatre and medical centre nearby.

The Coal Orchard site as seen from Bridge Street (Image: Daniel Mumby)

She said: "The housing provision is inappropriate. The layout and design of the buildings are suitable for Firepool, not Coal Orchard.

"Car-free flats are pie-in-the-sky - there is no public transport in Taunton, how are they going to get to work?"

Martin Pakes, who managed to obtain 1,000 signatures for a petition against the redevelopment of the site, said that having flats without parking "beggar belief".

He added: "Most people we spoke to about the plans were absolutely appalled by what they saw. They thought this was going to be a cultural hub associated with the theatre, with small independent shops - something that would be appropriate to the centre of Taunton, not this mammoth scheme."

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Councillor Libby Lisgo, who spoke during the public session, branded the designs as "a carbuncle" and said that it would not meet local needs.

She said: "I look at this design and what I have to say I see is ugly and something that is potentially going to be an eyesore almost in the middle of our county town.

"Does this design to anything to meet local needs and aspirations in the Coal Orchard area? Undoubtedly no.

An artist's impression of the Coal Orchard redevelopment in Taunton (Image: Daniel Mumby)

"We haven't got the business start-up units that were going to be there. What you have in front of you tonight is something that designed to give gain to the developers - not something that's designed to provide local amenity."

Councillor Marcia Hill criticised the lack of social housing, stating: "We've got a massive waiting list. Just how many more restaurants do we need to cater for? I just feel the balance is all wrong."